Southern California

A deadly house explosion occurred in Twentynine Palms on Aug. 21, resulting in one death and two hospitalizations. The incident took place at around 8:27 p.m. on the 6000 block of Ocotillo Avenue, where three adults and a dog were inside the home when it exploded.

Southern California is currently facing conditions described as 'very hot or extremely hot.' Temperatures have been soaring, leading to Angelenos wilting on Sunday. Forecasters issued an unwelcome message predicting that another week of intense heat is expected.

A decades-old robbery conviction against a man has been dismissed after prosecutors in Southern California stated they lacked confidence in the case. The conviction was related to an armed robbery that occurred at a Fidelity Financial Services office located in Orange County.

Thiefs stole a bronze soldier statue from a military memorial in Paramount, marking the second time the monument has been vandalized. This incident has angered residents and local veterans. The Armed Forces Memorial, which was unveiled outside Paramount City Hall, features the life-size statue.

A 52-year-old man was arrested after allegedly shooting two teenagers in Moreno Valley. The incident resulted in one teen's death and left the other hospitalized. Riverside County sheriff’s deputies responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call on Glorybower Street.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California announced that its program providing incentives for sustainable landscaping helped fund the planting of 4,000 trees across Southern California. This milestone was marked at the California Institute of Technology, where a project is currently replacing nearly 100,000 square feet of unused grass and adding 59 new trees.

Seventeen suspects were arrested during a major retail theft bust that took place in Burbank. The three-day operation targeted the Empire Center shopping plaza from August 11-13. The effort was conducted by the Burbank Police Department and involved collaboration with the Los Angeles Organized Retail Crime Association and the California Highway Patrol Organized Retail Crime.

Residents across Southern California’s foothill communities have reported an uptick in bear sightings linked to persistent warm summer weather. Wildlife officials warned the public to exercise caution and specifically advised against feeding the bears. Furthermore, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife noted that this increase in sightings is considered expected for this time of year.

A Southern California man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for soliciting minors to produce sexually explicit content. Authorities identified the individual as Ricardo Francisco Aguado, who targeted minor victims across several states. These victims were reported to be between 12 and 15 years old.

Loved ones are actively searching for a missing 15-year-old girl named Victoria Belle Rosendo. She was reported missing on Aug. 19, and her disappearance has been documented by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Rosendo was last seen leaving her residence located on the 4500 block of 173rd Street around 4:40 p.m.

New wildfire-safety rules approved by a state board will require homeowners in fire-prone areas of Southern California and across the state to reduce combustible materials within five feet of their homes. The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection adopted these first-in-the-nation “Zone 0” defensible-space regulations to reduce the risk that wind-driven embers ignite homes during wildfires.

A Southern California man was involved in a crime where he killed his mother, dismembered her body, and left the remains in a dumpster near their apartment complex in 2022. He has been found not guilty by reason of insanity.

A Southern California man killed and dismembered his mother, subsequently leaving her remains in a dumpster near their apartment complex in 2022. He was ultimately found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Loved ones are appealing to the public for help locating a Southern California man who has been missing for over a year. KC Tard, age 44, was reported missing on February 18, 2025. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Tard was last seen near the 3600 block of Kensley and is considered at-risk.

Authorities identified Paul Ronald Selby, a man who was shot and killed by deputies following an incident where he allegedly fired at tree trimmers near his home. The death occurred during a shootout and standoff after the suspect barricaded himself inside his house.

Southern California is expected to experience much hotter temperatures, potentially reaching 105 degrees due to a building ridge of high pressure this week. Elevated fire weather conditions are also anticipated across the region after a brief cooling trend.

Armed catalytic converter thieves have targeted cars across Southern California, causing fear among residents. Frightened victims are speaking out about the incidents, which typically occur in the middle of the night. The thefts follow a pattern involving suspects stealing parts within minutes, usually with at least one person carrying a firearm standing guard.

Rooter Hero Plumbing & Air is accepting nominations for a back-to-school giveaway intended for teachers in Southern California. The donated funds will cover a teacher’s classroom wish list, with nominations accepted through August 23rd. One Southern California teacher is expected to be selected on August 24th.

A Los Angeles federal judge rejected a government attempt to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that immigration raids in Southern California are unlawful and target Latino communities. The residents, workers, and advocacy groups sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), accusing agents of performing unconstitutional stop and detention practices tied to arbitrary enforcement quotas.

FedEx and other companies announced layoffs resulting in more than 500 people losing jobs in Southern California. Staples and LAZ Parking are among the affected businesses. Furthermore, two facilities located in Palm Springs and Victorville will close.

A marine heat wave off Southern California is drawing stingrays closer to the shore. As a result, beachgoers are encountering these animals and suffering their lashings.

Three men were found guilty of their roles in a violent kidnapping and robbery of a Southern California businessman. The victim was later abandoned in a remote area. The U.S. Attorney’s Office identified suspects, including Peter Arafiles, Jr., 31, and Shanjeet Brar.

The annual Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak over Southern California on Wednesday night and early Thursday. Under ideal viewing conditions, observers could potentially see 50 to 100 meteors per hour according to NASA, while the American Meteor Society estimates rural viewers may see between 30 and 50 meteors per hour.

A 12-year-old girl from Southern California, Morgan Lopez, suffered a spinal injury and was previously told she might be paralyzed. She has defied expectations by recovering and walking out of the hospital on her own. Morgan is an advanced acro-dancer who is passionate about dance.

The California Credit Union Foundation announced that it will award 10 grants of $500 each to fund classroom projects for Southern California teachers. The program is open to full-time teachers in Los Angeles and Orange counties, as well as active members of California Credit Union. These funds are designed to address academic needs and provide additional educational opportunities for students.

The Trump administration proposed stripping many of Head Start’s regulations to provide more local flexibility. While advocates fear this overhaul could gut essential program features, current providers state that centers are operating as usual and will continue services as designed. The rule is now undergoing a 60-day public comment period for feedback.

Alice Kim left her corporate career in investment banking after six years due to burnout. She realized that her chronic stress stemmed from her own mindset, rather than the demanding industry itself. During an 18-month career break, she discovered surfing and traveling, which helped her recognize how trapped she had been within her finance bubble.

Verizon restored its internet service Sunday night after alleged vandalism damaged fiber lines. The incident caused widespread outages across Southern California, specifically affecting wireless internet in the greater Los Angeles area. A Verizon spokesperson confirmed that service was fully restored around 7:30 p.m.

Powerful swells from Hurricane Genevieve have transformed a popular Southern California beach, stripping away much of its sand and damaging portions of a parking lot. Tamarack State Beach in Carlsbad has been battered by strong surf and high tides, which exposed large rocks along the shoreline and required officials to close the area.

Wildfires have erupted across Southern California due to a stretch of scorching summer weather. Firefighters are actively battling these brush fires amid high temperatures, with expected heat ranging between 90 and 100 degrees.

A man named Felix Valenzuela was driving his wife Theodora Wilson and their three children in a Volkswagen SUV on July 29. They were involved in a crash by a speeding driver while near the intersection of Yucca Loma and Apple Valley in San Bernardino County.

Jeanine John Taele, a U.S. Marine corporal with combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, faces federal firearms charges after allegedly scouting security at Trump National Golf Club ahead of President Trump's Southern California visit.

A hiker in Southern California was bitten by a rattlesnake and airlifted to a hospital for treatment. The incident occurred during a rescue operation, marking another snake-biting event in the region.

A high-pressure ridge has kept Southern California under extreme heat for weeks, but the National Weather Service forecasts it will weaken by Monday. The heat wave is expected to end as the ridge breaks down, bringing relief to the region.

A woman escaped a car as a man used a tractor to crush it during a rage following an argument in Southern California. The incident occurred on Saturday and involved a death-defying escape from the vehicle.

President Trump downplayed a security scare involving the arrest of a heavily armed suspect at a golf course near his Southern California fundraiser. The incident occurred ahead of his scheduled visit to California.

President Trump arrived in Los Angeles for a Southern California visit and will attend a fundraiser at his Trump National Golf Club Tuesday night.

Federal authorities arrested a man carrying ammunition near Trump National Golf Club in LA County. The arrest occurred ahead of the president's Southern California visit, as the man was monitoring security-planning activities.

A Southern California driver rear-ended another car before attacking a female driver and stabbing a passenger in a road rage incident.

A heavily armed man was arrested with weapons and body armor outside Trump National Golf Course in Downey, California, ahead of a visit by Donald Trump to Southern California.